Honda Civic Type R Takes Lap Record At Silverstone

Honda’s critically-acclaimed Civic Type R continues its challenge to dominate the world of high-performance family cars, having taken the FWD lap record at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK this week after three-time British Touring Car Championship winner Matt Neal hammered one round. Taking the title from the previous-generation Civic Type R, the latest attempt set the new benchmark at 2-minutes 31.32-seconds.

The Silverstone Circuit is one of the more famous tracks around the world, with fast corners and long straights. The challenging course meant that Neal was heavily reliant on the 2-litre turbocharged Civic Type R, which he intimated may have been the more critical player in the partnership.

“Where I found the real advantage was really in the high-speed corners: The stability which is a combination of the aero and the new advanced suspension system. Into corners like Copse and Stowe at the end of the Hangar straight, you can carry big entry speed with supreme confidence. There isn’t just one point that makes this Type R the best in its class; It’s across the board. It’s a completely new platform, and Honda have scruitinised and improved every area from the stability, the aero, the centre of gravity, and the feedback through the steering wheel. It’s a step forwards in every direction.” — Matt Neal, 3-Time BTCC Winner, Halfords Yuasa Racing

The 228kW VTEC engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission sending power to the front wheels, also played an integral role in the lap record. With its incredibly-linear power delivery, Neal was able to make full use of the power and 400Nm of torque on offer without unsettling the car. And there’s no doubting that the Continental SportContact6 rubber was tortured throughout the run.

Check out the video up above to watch Neal go banzai on the circuit in what people refer to as the “ultimate race car for the road.” The Silverstone lap record makes it three-for-three, after the Type R nabbed similar records at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, as well as the Magny-Cours GP circuit in France.